Related Articles

Composer Michael Mayer was doubtless aware of the challenges involved in bringing a concept album to life on the stage when he approached members of Green Day about adapting the band's hard-driving 2004 record "American Idiot" for Broadway. But by many accounts, the resulting collaboration, which opened on Broadway in 2009 and played for a year with Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong often appearing in the show, was a rousing success.Since it closed on Broadway, the show has had a healthy touring life. In its first local appearance, it will play at 8 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the University at Buffalo's Center for the Arts, North Campus, Amherst. The show follows the story of three young men trying to cut it in post-9/11 America and, like the album that inspired it, weaves in strong critiques of U.S. foreign policy, the media and other subjects that continue to vex the youth of America today. The tour stars Alex Nee, Casey O'Farrell and Thomas Hettrick as the central trio. It's presented in one act.Tickets are $25 to $67, with more information at 645-2787 or www.ubcfa.org. - Colin Dabkowski